Dougherty County District 6 Commissioner, Anthony Jones, recently attended the Georgia Association of Regional Commissions’ (GARC) annual Economic Development Conference at Lake Lanier Islands The conference covered a host of topics, including special tax districts, recreation and tourism, and housing and economy and policy. Serving as the Chair of the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (SWGRC), Jones attended the conference with SWGRC staff, Executive Director, Suzanne Angell, and Economic Developer, Beka Shiver. Presenters included federal and state officials from the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), USDA Rural Development, and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

“I am honored to serve as the Chairman of the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission,” said Anthony Jones, District 6 Commissioner for Dougherty County. “I attended the conference excited and eager to learn about the inner workings of the goals, plans and actions for the 12 agencies in the state of Georgia. The Regional Commission is one of 12 public agencies created by the Georgia Planning Act, to assist local governments on a regional basis and assist in establishing coordinated and comprehensive planning for the state.”

Keynote speaker for the conference was Christopher Nunn, Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner. Staff from the United States Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration also provided a training session.